Bright Burning Things

A Novel

By: Lisa Harding

Narrated by: Lisa Harding

Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

A Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Featured on Today * A People Magazine Pick * An Indie Next Pick * A Libraryreads Pick * An Amazon Editors Pick

“On every page there are little shimmering bombs. Like Room, where parenthood is at once your jail and your salvation, it is almost claustrophobic — but in the most glorious way.” (Lisa Taddeo, number one New York Times best-selling author of Three Women and Animal)

A rising international literary star makes her American debut with this visceral, tender, and brave portrait of addiction, recovery, and motherhood, as harrowing and intense as Shuggie Bain.

Sonya used to perform on stage. She used to attend glamorous parties, date handsome men, ride in fast cars. But somewhere along the way, the stage lights Sonya lived for dimmed for good. In their absence, came darkness — blackouts, empty cupboards, hazy nights she can't remember.

What keeps Sonya from losing herself completely is Tommy, her son. But her immense love for Tommy is in fierce conflict with her immense love of the bottle. Addiction amplifies her fear of losing her child; every maternal misstep compels her to drink. Tommy’s precious life is in her shaky hands.

Eventually Sonya is forced to make a choice. Give up drinking or lose Tommy — forever.

Bright Burning Things is an emotional tour-de-force — a devastating, nuanced, and ultimately hopeful look at an addict’s journey towards rehabilitation and redemption.

A Most Anticipated Book from: Washington Post, The Millions, PopSugar, Shondaland, Good Morning America, Nylon, Good Housekeeping, Town & Country

©2021 Lisa Harding (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Wonderful!!!

Go ahead and listen to this beautiful story. It will touch your heart in so many ways.

Felt like I crawled into an addict’s mind

The fast paced, stream of consciousness style is difficult at first, but stay with it! This isn’t meant to be an easy read. The style is meant to demonstrate the lack of rationality and order that comprises an addict’s mind. Not since Crime and Punishment have I felt the same physiological experiences as a book character. Yes, I just compared Harding to Dostoevsky. I truly gained a better understanding of and empathy for addicts by reading this book. That is the whole point of literature.

It’s hard to listen sometimes

The abuse and neglect of a child are hard to listen to in the beginning. But the story rights it’s self soon enough.

This book is kinda crazy

But honestly in the best way. I read a bad review and listened anyway, getting curious at the unimaginable story. Loved it. Don’t know if I can recommend it to anyone 🤣 but it was great.

Enlightening

Didn’t think I was going to like it at first… very fast narration. Glad I hung in there. The story sheds more light on the addictive mindset. I actually grew to like the narrators accent. She did an excellent job of conveying the pace of the inner voice at times. I liked the story and how YaYa evolved into a mature responsible mum while still maintaining the creativity in her personality.

Favorite book of the year!

This was a glimpse into the world of addiction from the addict’s perspective. The frenetic, manic narration by the author makes it all the more impactful. Powerful book.

Wow

This book is fantastic , very real and very realistic . I loved it very sad in parts . I think this book is about love and lack of it .

Loved It

Illustrates the intense need addiction holds. Was on the edge of my seat through the first part. Then was talking out loud as your friend telling you to ditch David. He was bad news.

Not for me

Too “sing song” for me , but I admit I’m not a great poetry fan and it seemed like a never ending ode. Listening was difficult from the get go. Story overdramatic at times with unsatisfying ending for me.

Not what I expected

I didn’t enjoy this book. I don’t think the author should have narrated this. I’ve listened to a lot of books on audible and this was by far my least favorite narrator. Her voice was fast, rushed and distracted from the story. It was also not my favorite story. It was a very slow read.